SB 207 - This act creates the offense of community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm in the first degree in which a person commits such offense if he or she stores or leaves a firearm in a location where the person knows or reasonably should know that an unauthorized person may gain access to the firearm and such unauthorized person causes personal injury or death with the firearm. Such offense shall be a class C felony. This act also creates the offense of community endangerment due to unsafe storage of a firearm in the second degree in which a person commits such offense if he or she stores or leaves a firearm in a location where the person knows or reasonably should know that an unauthorized person may gain access to the firearm and such person:
· Causes the firearm to discharge;
· Carries the firearm in a public place in a manner that is threatening; or
· Uses the firearm in the commission of a crime.
Such offense shall be a class D felony.
It shall not be a violation of either offense if the firearm is stored in a secure storage location, the unauthorized person is a minor who has the permission of a parent or guardian to possess the firearm, the unauthorized person obtains the firearm in self-defense, or the unauthorized person obtains the firearm as a result of unlawful entry and such unlawful entry is reported to a law enforcement agency.
MARY GRACE PRINGLE